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#972   Ask What To Change

A person who is "wise in his own eyes" will not make positive changes. Since he thinks he is right, he is not aware of his negative and counterproductive behavior. But if a person is aware of his improper behavior, there is always hope that he will correct himself.

Today, ask someone whom you're close with what they would suggest that you change about yourself. (This is scary, but worth it!)
(see Vilna Gaon - Proverbs 26:12; Rabbi Pliskin - "Consulting the Wise")

A Friend

A friend shared these with me recently and I soo LOVE this & had to pass it on = )
Thank you, Siobhan & God Bless You for sharing! Tina

A Friend: The A-Z of Friendship
ccepts you as you are;
A
elieves in you;
B
alls you just to say hi;
C
oesn't give up on you;
D
nvisions the whole you;
E
orgives past mistakes;
F
ives unconditionally;
G
elps you;
H
nvites you over;
I
ust wants to be with you;
J
eeps you close at heart;
K
oves you for who you are;
L
akes a difference in your life;
M
ever judges;
N
ffers supports;
O
icks you up;
P
uiets your fears;
Q
aises your spirits;
R
ays nice things about you;
S
ells you the truth when you need to hear it;
T
nderstands you;
U
alues you;
V
alks beside you;
W
plains things you don't understand;
X
ells when you won't listen;
Y
aps you back to reality.
Z

Have a great day!

Tina = )

Monday Motto - Be Nice!

Monday Motto: Be nice!


Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This verse is the prototype of BEING A NICE PERSON. Some think that being a nice person means you give yourself away. You say yes to everything. How often do you hear "well I didn’t want to be rude!!"

Well if LOVE is being nice then Love means not giving in to things that are trying to manipulate you because you are only perpetuating the situation and continuing the cycle of being manipulated. Yes! I know! it is hard to stand your ground and say no when you are being manipulated especially when that manipulator is telling you that your NOT A NICE PERSON in so many words....do not be guilted for choosing LOVE!!

If JOY is being nice ....then SMILE and don’t feel weird and odd when you walk around smiling and no one else does. Have you seen people!!! NO ONE LIKES TO SMILE and SAY HI to a stranger. BE STRANGE and SMILE!!

If PEACE is being nice....RELAX and REST.......stop pushing yourself to the point of RAGGEDNESS. When you feel the need to rest --TAKE IT instead of listening to that voice in your head that says you cant because "whatever" needs to be done.

If PATIENCE is being nice then stop freaking out when the light is red, stop getting so upset when people don’t change overnight....it took them a long time to get where they are, stop getting so upset when you don’t change overnight for the same reason!!

If KINDNESS is being nice then go be KIND!! Stop growling at people. ~that's just for me!! :0)

If GOODNESS is being nice then be good. You know what to do that is good and not evil ...just do it!

If FAITHFULNESS is being nice .........Have Faith in God to use all things for your good....Stick it out even when its rough. It will be ok!

If GENTLENESS is being nice .......Speak the TRUTH in LOVE.....say it in gentleness not harshness but whatever you do DON’T STUFF IT!!

If SELF- CONTROL is being nice.....THEN GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF!!!

F and L'er
Starla

Watch Your Words: They Create Your Life

I am so touched by this. I had to share.  The power of words does not cease to amaze me...whether it be good or bad it can make a huge difference!  Bless someone today with something good to say = )  God Bless!

#966   Watch Your Words: They Create Your Life

The words you speak program and condition your mind. When you speak words of gratitude, you are programming and conditioning your brain and mind to experience more and more gratitude.

Speaking words of negativity and ingratitude program and condition your brain and mind to experience less and less gratitude and more and more misery.

You create your habits and your habits create you. By speaking words of gratitude regularly, you are developing the habit of speaking words of gratitude. The more you keep up this habit, the easier it becomes to say even more words of gratitude. As you continue to speak words of gratitude, thoughts of gratitude are integrated into your mind and you will spontaneously think and speak this way.

Catch yourself whenever what you say is an expression of a lack of gratitude. Instead of being upset with yourself for still lacking as much gratitude as you would wish, be grateful that you are becoming more aware of your lapses. This awareness will enable you to be more careful from now on.

It would be a good idea, to resolve that whenever you hear yourself saying something that is ungrateful, you immediately make five statements of gratitude.
(From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin's book: THANK YOU! Gratitude: Formulas, Stories, and Insights: Artscroll Publishers)

---

#967   A New Level Of Courage

There will be instances when you do something exceptionally courageous. Don't think, "I had courage here, but this really wasn't me. Normally I can't do these type of things."

It is much wiser to think, "This has upgraded the courage level of my brain." You are no longer on the previous level of courage, but on the present level. This is your actual reality.
(From Rabbi Pliskin's book, "Courage")

See Rabbi Pliskin's new book "Life Is Now"

Friendships grow in truth and vulnerability

Been noticing as I am surfing the blog world that many people are searching for meaningful friendships. People, women, even pastors wives struggling to just have a friend to talk to ??? That should not be so!! But it is...

I was reading the comments over at Striving for 31 . The post is a question asked by the author for another person which happens to be a pastors wife.

Excerpt: What I am struggling with right now is a lack of close friendships.......I have "friends" in our church, but you and I both know that can be tricky water to navigate. I am part of a home school group here, so I do have that outlet, but as far as a deep, close friendship with another woman here, I just don't have it..... as a ministry family, you are sorta in no man's land.....Anyway, the basic question is how as a ministry wife do you find your "place?" How do you forge those close friendships outside of your church without missing potential close friendships inside the church. Are close friendships in the church even a good idea?


Just reading this breaks my heart.

 I have Felt that way...that I didn't have a Real Friend that I couldn't Be Who I Was...

When I look at this situation I cant help but think PEOPLE have toooooooooooooooo HIGH expectations on their Pastor and his Wife if they feel like they can't be CLOSE FRIENDS with the people in their congregations. ISN'T that the point!!?? To know and be known by each other...to love one another.... Help and Grow and Learn from one another. Do we put them UP UP UP on a pedestal soooooo HIGH that we don't allow them to be who they are. Weaknesses and All.....Warts and ALL....They are Christ's too. Reaching toward the Goal like the rest of us.

I call to us all............BE REAL no matter where you are!! No matter who you are talking too!!! Just be real. Yes, it is scary...BUT SO IS LIVING A LIE!!

Real Friendship are grown in TRUTH and VULNERABILITY!!

F and L'er
Starla